Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam

Which method is commonly used to prioritize potential causes in a problem-solving effort?

1. 5 Whys

2. Fishbone diagram

3. Pareto chart

4. Affinity diagram

The correct answer is: Pareto chart

The Pareto chart is a powerful tool used to prioritize potential causes by illustrating the most significant factors contributing to a problem. Based on the Pareto principle, which states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes, this method enables teams to visually identify and focus on the few causes that will have the greatest impact on solving the problem. Using a Pareto chart, potential causes are listed along the horizontal axis, while the vertical axis shows their frequency or impact. By arranging the causes in descending order, teams can quickly discern which issues are most critical to address. This prioritization helps ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that efforts are directed toward the problems that will yield the largest improvements. While the other options serve useful purposes in problem-solving, they do not specifically focus on prioritizing causes in the same impactful manner. The 5 Whys method aims to explore the root causes through iterative questioning, the Fishbone diagram helps visualize potential causes and their relationships, and the Affinity diagram organizes ideas and solutions. However, none of these methods provide the clear prioritization that a Pareto chart does, making it the most effective tool for this specific purpose.